Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

God’s Kingdommeans the divine conquest over His enemies, a conquest which is to be accomplished in three stages; and the first victory has already occurred. The power of the Kingdom of God has invaded the realm of Satan–the present evil Age. The activity of this power to deliver men from satanic rule was evidenced in the exorcism of demons. Thereby, Satan was bound; he was cast down from his position of power; his power was “destroyed.” The blessings of the Messianic Age are now available to those who embrace the Kingdom of God. We may already enjoy the blessings resulting from this initial defeat of Satan. This does not mean that we enjoy the fullness of God’s blessings, or that all that is meant by the Kingdom of God has come to us. . . . The Second Coming of Christ is absolutely essential for the fulfillment and consummation of God’s redemptive work. Yet God has already accomplished the first great stage in His work of redemption. Satan is the god of This Age, yet the power of Satan has been broken that men may know the rule of God in their lives.

~ George Ladd. The Gospel of the Kingdom . Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999. p. 50.

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III. God’s Rule Is Invading this Present Evil Age through the Church Militant

A. The empowering presence of the Holy Spirit of God

Eph. 5.18 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

1. The Spirit is the sign of the Kingdom’s presence and certainty, 2 Cor. 1.21-22.

2. All believers in Christ have been sealed with the Spirit as a pledge of the future inheritance (i.e., a down payment of the full display of the Kingdom to come, Eph. 1.13; 4.30).